Most practice guidelines recommend the use of
pressure-redistribution support surfaces for highrisk
patients undergoing surgical intervention.28,29
In a study of elderly patients who had surgery for
hip fracture, the use of pressure-redistribution
support surfaces was low and was based more on
facility-related factors than on patient risk.52 In
our survey of operating room departments in Ontario
hospitals, from 8% to 20% of operating tables
are currently equipped with pressure-redistribution
overlays.We suspect there is a large gap between current
prevention practice and practice recommendations
and that the potential for large improvement
in the prevention of pressure ulcers among surgical
patients exists.